DIY Parking Garage

Baker's stocking was a huge hit this year! Santa was on a tight budget so he had to get a little creative. ;) We really love homemade gifts and toys anyways so we enjoy creating things for our home that are unique and special. We can't take credit for this idea at all. I actually found it here! But we did customize it a bit to fit our needs. Baker loved it so much and it was such an easy and inexpensive project. I thought I'd share the details in case anyone else has a car or truck lover like we do and wants to give this DIY a try!

All we used to make this was a crate, some scrap PVC pipe and a piece of scrap wood. The crate is from Michael's and was about $14. (We used a 50% off coupon.) Overall, we spent a whopping $9 on everything! I do like the look of natural unstained wood, but I wanted it to look a little more polished so we put one coat of light wood stain on the crate. And because our little boy has cars and trucks of all shapes and sizes we decided to incorporate two different size PVC tubes to accommodate them all. The tubes fit very tightly in the size crate we used so we didn't think it was necessary to glue them in. But, if you used a different size crate or PVC you could easily hot glue them in to secure them, as well.

I decided to distress and Mod Podge the little "Parking Garage" sign. I don't have a Cricut machine nor do I have the best hand lettering skills so this was the next best approach to getting a really precise look! I do have a few tips if you want to attempt this technique! Mod Podge is a really simple product to use. I have the liquid product in both the matte and glossy finish, as well as their all-in-one aerosol spray product. I actually used both the matte liquid and the spray on this project and I'll tell you why below!

The first thing I did was design and print my wording. I then cut it to my desired size and shape. After I painted and distressed my sign, I sealed the sign by spraying it with the aerosol Mod Podge product and letting it dry completely. This step is what kept my blue paint from smearing across the white paper once I was ready to attach my wording. 

Once the Mod Podge spray coat was dry I applied one layer of matte Mod Podge liquid to use as glue for my piece of paper. After I placed my wording where I wanted I just painted one last thick coat of matte Mod Podge all over the entire sign. The product goes on looking milky and thick, but dries completely clear providing a seamless and permanent finish. I chose to hot glue it to the top of the crate so there wouldn't be any visible nail or staple holes.

It turned out so darling! And it could be customized and used in so many different ways. An incredibly simple and inexpensive DIY product that our little boy absolutely loves! Happy DIY-ing!

-Lauren

DIY Pinecone Garland

Every year I look forward to browsing all the holiday catalogs for decor inspiration. I just get lost in the beauty of the pages every time! Several years ago I spotted the most beautiful winter pinecone garland in a Ballard Designs magazine but it was a display only and not available for purchase. It was almost as if it was beckoning me to at least give it a DIY try. AND this DIY = free. (Or close to free!) So, thanks, Ballard! Challenge Accepted! ;)

I actually put this together last year and I don't have any step-by-step photos during the process, but I promise this is a really simple project! I will do my best to explain exactly how I got this look so you can make one, too!

What You'll Need:

• Pinecones - I gathered mine out of the woods in our backyard so these were free! You can also purchase them at your local floral supply or hardware store. I used about 30 for mine, but you could use up to 60-80 for a six-foot section depending on how full you want your garland to be.

• Craft Wire

• Ribbon or Moss Covered Heavy Twine

The first thing I did was choose my ribbon base and stretch it out a few feet longer than my desired garland length. (You can also use a heavy moss covered twine in place of ribbon!) Then I cut several long pieces of craft wire (about 1-2 feet long) and placed them along my ribbon at equal increments. My pinecone bundles are about 3 or 4 inches apart. I used this technique so I could visually plan out the placement of the pinecones on my garland. You can customize this to your own taste and string your pinecones as close together or as far apart as desired!

My next step was to twist my wire several times to my base ribbon. 

Then, to secure my pinecones I started wrapping one wire end around the base of each pinecone. (Working the wire up into the layer so it's hidden.) I bundled my pinecones in sets of three and worked my way across the garland from left-to-right. Once the first pinecone is wrapped by the wire a few times, I just started on the second and then the third one to complete the bundle. Since there are two pieces of wire at each increment, I used the same wrapping method with the second piece of wire, just working in the opposite direction to secure the entire bundle together.

This is what the bundles look like when complete! The wire is so thin it's barely visible when displayed. And the more pinecones you use, the more the wire will be hidden!

This is such an easy an inexpensive project and it can be customized in so many ways! You could use scented pinecones for a special twist or add cranberries or greenery for a more festive and colorful look. I enjoy the simplicity and beauty of the pinecones by themselves and I love that it's a beautiful piece of decor that can stand alone throughout many different seasons.

I hope this inspires you to give this project a try! I have so much fun gathering natural elements to use in our home. It's a great project to do with the kids, as well. And a great opportunity to get outside and go on a nature walk! 

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.. & Happy DIY-ing! -Lauren

Versatile Decor - Shopping Your Own House

With Christmas just around the corner, I've been pulling out all my holiday decor and planning how I want to add new special touches around the farmhouse this season. Every year I like to tweak things just a little bit. Changing or replacing a lot of decor all at once can get really expensive really fast. So rather than buying all new things, I like to "shop the house" instead.

Like most of us, I have a few closets where I like to store miscellaneous decor and I also collect a lot of primitive things in our barn. Natural elements really inspire me so I often explore outside gathering wood, acorns, leaves and pinecones to incorporate inside. And once I've made a massive mess by getting out of all my stuff, then it's go time! 

I don't know what it is about pulling out all my options and seeing it all spread out in front of me.. It just jump starts my creativity! Sometimes all it takes to see an item in a new way is to take it down from where you put it to begin with. It can be hard to imagine something else in it's place or a new use for something without moving it in the first place and clearing your mind. Start with a clean slate! So many times I've forgotten about things I have or pieces that I haven't used in a long time. It's so fun to swap things around and it saves me SO much money. Sometimes shopping around my own house for new ways to use my old things is all the inspiration I need! And it satisfies that urge to shop so I get the quick fix I'm craving without spending a penny!

I've never been one to splurge on a lot of trendy clothing or decor. I love what I love and although my tastes have changed and evolved over time, many of the classic pieces I've invested in still remain my favorites. I recently got a new fun item from one of my favorite shops and it's so versatile! I thought it would be the perfect example to illustrate how I often use a single piece of decor in many ways. The Box Spring Card Holder from Painted Fox can be used for so many occasions! Take a look at how it's travelled around our house..

Christmas Card Display

I found this small wicker wreath while unpacking some holiday decor. A friend had gifted it to me and I had forgotten I even had it! By adding some fresh greenery picked straight out of our backyard and "shopping my house" I was able to create this fun holiday display without spending a penny!

Nursery Vignette

My son's nursery is one of my favorite rooms to decorate.. Kid spaces are so fun! I found these cool vintage flash cards while shopping around at the Nashville Flea Market. I had originally strung them up to create a paper garland, but my bed spring card holder was the perfect piece to display them in a new way!

Farmhouse Mantel

Swoon... a farmhouse loving girl can never have too many tobacco baskets! This one sits on one of our six mantels and I swap out the decor here often. I was stumped for a long time on deciding how to display these flashcards, but my card holder provides a great layer of depth and texture in this space. 

Recipe and Mail Sorter

I have TONS of loose paper in my kitchen.. recipes, mail, shopping lists.. I need about three of these to organize it all!

Spare Bedroom Decor

Our spare bedroom is one of the only fully decorated spaces in our farmhouse at the moment. It seems as though every other room has something ripped out for the sake of renovation. But this one is a bit of a getaway for me when the mess of the house starts to get overwhelming and I want to sit in a room that feels like ME.  Not to mention, these are a few of my favorite things.. Chippy - Farmhouse - Home.

Would you like your own Bed Spring Card Holder to decorate in a million different ways? You can buy one at Painted Fox Treasures!

(affiliate link)

Making a house a home doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, it doesn't have to cost any at all! Switching up your decor and "shopping your home" can be so much fun. It's even therapeutic for me at times! Maybe this will inspire you to play around with whatever you can find around your own place and give some of your things new life. Let your creative juices flow! Do you have any really versatile pieces that travel around your house? Show me!

-Lauren

Happy Halloween! Our Radio Flyer Fire Truck

It's no secret that we absolutely love Halloween! Last year when Baker was only a few months old Brett traveled out of state to a Fire Conference and brought home the most precious little fire fighter uniform. This season it fit him perfectly and this costume just fell right into place! He ADORES everything fire related (no surprise!) and we can't seem to keep him out of his new ride. The first time he saw it he kept telling us Thank You over and over and over.. It just melted my heart! We've joked that maybe we should just turn it into a toddler bed since he loves it so much. ;) The fire truck fits right over his Radio Flyer wagon and it's going to make Trick or Treating around town so fun and easy! Especially if he gets tired! We've had so much fun this season already with fall festivals, Boo at the Zoo, and Trunk-or-Treating. We can't wait to hit the streets this weekend for some more festivities around town. The City of Columbiana hosts "Monster Walk" this weekend plus Baker will get to Trick Or Treat for real for the first time! We absolutely cannot wait!

Happy Halloween from Chief Baker!

Direct Link to purchase your own Radio Flyer wagon at the bottom of the post!

My inspiration for this actually came from a fire truck wagon made of cardboard. And of course Brett wanted to upgrade the idea! I headed to work one day and a few hours later he was sending me pictures of his progress. I literally gasped out loud when I got his photos! It was everything I wanted and then some! HE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. HOME RUN. Once I saw the initial design he came up with I started to envision a little wooden fire truck toy. Similar to the miniature handmade trucks and toys he's built before.. I wanted it to look like a life size replica! And I was so excited to finish it that we started on the detail work as soon as I got home that day. We were up pretty late but sometimes when my creative wheels start turning and we're knee deep in a project the adrenaline hits and I just don't want to stop until I can physically see what I've been dreaming up in my mind. It's an addiction! A DIY addiction! We used all scrap wood from the wood shop, as well. The overall cost was minimal. Nearly free!

Happy Birthday Baker!

Our wild boy turned TWO years old this week! My oh my how time really does fly. No big party this year. We celebrated at home in our pajamas and had cookies and cupcakes for breakfast. (Which was a big hit, btw!) :) I threw together some last minute decorations the night before his birthday so he'd have some surprises to wake up to. He loved it!

Baker had lots of visits and phone calls throughout the day and he was spoiled rotten by all the people who love him! Meme and PawPaw gifted him a trampoline and Grammy and Grampy got him some cool kitchen accessories for his new play kitchen from mommy and daddy. The Quinney family put together an adorable tractor themed basket for him and our sweet friends Paula and Jay Jay showered him with gifts and love. He is one very loved little boy! Our pride and joy!

Possibly the most exciting part of the day was that my dearest friend gave birth to twins!!! They are absolutely precious and we are so thrilled for their family. What an extra special reason to celebrate! I anticipate lots of birthday fun in the future now that Baker gets to share his special day with two new buddies. Congratulations, Ashley and Mitchell! We love you all so much!

Charlotte and John Daniel - One Day New!

Enjoy a few birthday videos!

-Lauren

God Bless America

Happy 4th to you and yours! We had originally planned to host a big farm party to celebrate the holiday with our family and friends. The good news is that Brett received a promotion recently that he's worked so hard for! We are so proud of him! The bad news is that he had to switch shifts and fire stations and because of the shift change he had to work today and our party plans were put on hold. But it's ok! We still pulled out all of our patriotic decor and partied with our families a few days early.

Anyone who works in public service is probably used to these kinds of circumstances. We just roll with the punches. :) We're hoping to kick off summer next year with our First Annual Summer Shindig at the farm!

Link to purchase this bunting at the bottom of the post!